Combined stand and step-ladder



(No Model.)

v 0.. F. BATT. COMBINED STAND ANDSTEP LADDER.

Patnted :Nov. 15, 1892.

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'UM ED STATES PATENT OF ICE. I

CHARLES F. BATT, OF BRooKLYN,-NEW YORK.

COMBINED STAND AND STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 486,320, dated November 15, 1892. Application filed October 26, 1891. Serial No. 409,838. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. BATT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings county, New York, have invented a Combined Stand and Step-Ladder, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to construct a simple andinexpensive article of furniture, which can serve as a convenient and substantial step-ladder when occasion requires, but when not so employed may be folded up into a stand or small table for use as such, with the step -ladder feature out of sight. When built of a size to be conveniently movable or portable, such an article of furniture is particularly useful in households, libraries, or offices.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved article of furniture when folded up for use as a stand or small table. Fig. 2 isa corresponding perspective view of the same when unfolded for use as a step-ladder. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the article when in the position shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. A is a similar sectional view showing the movable parts just as they are about being unfolded.

The top frame, legs, and table-top of the stand may be of any suitable shape and construction. In the present instance the stand is shown as having four legs a, and the top frame A is rectangular, having fixed side. pieces I) b, with a fixed back cross-piece b and a front cross-piece b This last I prefer to make movable, and I use it as a hinging-piece for the table-top B of the stand, as hereinafter explained. This table-top B is in any case so hinged to the top frame A of the stand that the said top, while capable of serving as the usual table-top, may also when required be unfolded and serve as a step-carrying part of the step-ladder. For this purpose one or more steps S S (two in the present instance) are secured directly and rigidly to the under side of this top B, being conveniently supported by brackets s s thereon.

In order to permit of the convenientchange of positions of the table-top of the stand for the two uses, this top is connected to the frame A by a link, and I prefer to utilize one of the cross-pieces b to form this link, this cross-piece being connected by suitable pivots or other movable joint near one of its edges-say at 0c-while at the other-say at y-it is jointed to the table-to p. A fixed horizontal cross-piece 1) between the sidebars b 2) serves to brace and hold these side bars and at the same time is utilized to form a step of the step-ladder.

When the table-top, with its steps affixed to its under side, is turned over and downward, it will stand at an angle with its steps horizontal, as shown in Fig. 3, one edge of the tabletop resting upon the floor, while the other edge rests against and is supported by the stand. I prefer to mount a step S upon the hinging cross-piece b sufficiently on a line with and adjacent to the cross-piece p to give a deep step to stand on. Another cross-piece 10 at a. higher level and nearer what I have for convenience called the back of the stand serves for the top step of the ladder when the article of furniture is used as such. I prefer to provide in connection with this, in orderto give a larger foothold, ashelf p ,supported on the cross-piece b. As shown in Fig. 2, this shelf 19 should not extend entirely across from one side piece b to the other of the top frame, but room should be left for the passage when the top B is folded upof the brackets s, which support the bottom step S on the under side of the table-top B. I do not, however, wish to restrict myself to the use of two steps upon the frame or of two steps upon the under side of the table-top, as one or more may be used upon either, as found convenient.

I claim as my invention 1. A stand having a table-top hinged to the frame and. having affixed to the under side of the said top one or more steps, whereby when said top is turned back and downward to rest against the stand it may serve as a stepladder.

2. A stand having a table-top hinged to the frame with a link connection and one or more steps affixed to the under side of the said top, whereby when the said top is turned back and downward to rest against the stand it may IOO to the frame and one or more steps affixed to connection for the latter, as and for the purre the under side of said tab1e-top,whereby when pose described.

said top is turned back and downward to rest In testimony whereof I have signed my against the stand it may serve as a step-ladname to this specification in the presence of 5 der, as and for the purpose set forth. two subscribing witnesses.

4. A stand having a frame and a table-top CHARLES F. BATT. having one or more steps affixed to its under \Vitnesses: side with an end crosspiece jointed to the JOHN REVELL,

frame and to the table-top and forming alink HUBERT I-IOWSON. 

